Fireworks on Seattle's Lake Union, 4 July 2013

This is the fourth year I’ve attempted to capture Seattle’s 4th of July fireworks display. I have a perfect spot for shooting them, provided by a good friend. Every previous attempt has had its problems. In 2010 the triggers I used worked in my basement but not in the field. So I came down off the roof disappointed and my friend Jim, an inventor, asked me to describe the problem. Some months later he presented me with a box containing some solenoid triggers.

2011 worked better but I was trying to do too many things at once. The triggers worked pretty well but in the end I only had a couple of usable shots. When I say usable I mean awesome. The Hasselblads were spaced about 20 feet apart, based on a formula I got from Don Lopp.

When Don saw the photos he said, “You know, since you don’t have infinity in the shot you could double the distance between the cameras.” I was shooting the fireworks against a dark sky (which presents a problem in aiming the cameras) but I resolved to shoot with greater separation.

In 2012 I had 40 foot separation but my aim was not good and I didn’t get anything I could use.

Fast forward to 2013. I asked my friend to make the triggers more powerful as there were times when it seemed the signal wasn’t strong enough to go over long distances. James did beef up the triggers such that he thinks I could trigger from several miles without that problem! This year the triggers were good, the aim was near perfect, and a I got some really nice shots. 40 foot separation between cameras. I’m currently too protective of the best ones to send them out on tour but even the “also-rans” are quite good! And I hope I can get to share some of these with you in person!

And I can’t wait ’til next year!